OK so I had heard of the SOPA bill, Stop Online Piracy Act, that is being passed around the US senate lately, but I never quite realized how bad this thing really is, that is until I went to Wikipedia today, only to see they have blocked the entire English part of the site in protest against this bill.
So naturally that got my attention, and then I noticed I had a domain up for renewal, so headed over to Namecheap.com to renew it, and low and behold another warning pops up with a strong message to STOP CENSORSHIP ON THE INTERNET!!!
I then decided this thing is serious, so I better read up about it. I’m not that clued up on this topic yet, and I’m not trying to pretend I am, but I bet there are a lot of my subscribers that are, so I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU BELOW IN THE COMMENTS. Let’s open this thing up for discussion in the comments and hear what everyone has to say.
From what I gather, this bill works in favour of large corporations such as media giants in Hollywood, allowing them to protect the illegal piracy of their products, even from sites overseas, classic example being www.thepiratebay.com.
However most of these companies don’t understand the way this bill will affect the internet and the way we all interact on it. The reason for this is, if I user of YouTube uploads a video that is in breach of copyright material from a company, then under current DMCA notices, Youtube must act and contact the user about the issue and they much either take it down or take legal action back.
However SOPA is different, in that it allows companies claiming this breach, to stop US companies supporting these ‘flagged’ sites from operating. Google wouldn’t be allowed to show flagged sites in it’s listings, payment processors like Paypal would not be allowed to let these sites transact, so essentially if a corporation claims you are in breach of SOPA, they can cut you off almost overnight, this is scary and gives them a lot of control over what happens online…to much control!
Here is what YouTube says: “YouTube would just go dark immediately,” Google public policy director Bob Boorstin said at a conference last month. “It couldn’t function.”
Tech giants Google and Facebook both lodged complaints against this bill in November last year, and it’s having an effect, but will it be enough, as time is running out. Also these tech companies are not the only ones, as I said Wikipedia and Namecheap are just two more examples of companies that are strongly opposed to this bill. Any site that has a lot of user generated content, which is why the web has had this social media explosion in recent times, is at risk with this SOPA bill.
Here’s a video on this:
Like I said, I’m no expert on this topic and I don’t intend to be, but as much as I can understand companies wanting to stop piracy of their products, I think this SOPA bill is not the way to go about it. It will put even more power into the hands of corporations, who tend to do abuse power when they have it. I would be pretty upset if YouTube and other user generated sites could no longer function.
Anyway, I want to hear from you, as I know there are a lot of smart people on my email list, who will know a lot more about this than I do. Perhaps I got it wrong, perhaps not, so let’s open it up for discussion below!
Also if you are a US citizen, then have your say, all you have to do is contact your local government member and tell them what you think. Wikipedia is even making this really easy to do by linking to all the contacts for you. It’s as simple as a quick phone call and or email.
UPDATE: Wolfgang in his comment below just showed me this link: SOPA , however this does mean this bill is over, we need to be very aware of this thing, and by the way Godaddy supports it….hmmmm glad I shop at www.namecheap.com
Thanks
Matt
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Hi Matt,
Thanks for pointing out the significance of this issue. I sent emails to my local political reps and I expect that many others did as well. I saw that many sites (Wikipedia, WordPress, Craigslist, etc) set up systems to help people easily identify and contact their reps. Hopefully everyone will voice thier opinion against the SOPA and PIPA bills.
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:30 am
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Good stuff for taking action David!
Matt
jen Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
You better also read up about much more then SOPA. There is a complete fascist takeover in the U.S. You may want to research the “Illuminati” and find out how these criminals who run our federal reserve also run our government from the shadows. They want to bring down the United States and bring in a “One World Government”..this is not a good thing, this is a continuation of Hitler’s agenda. These are the people behind hitler and Stalin. They have built over 1000 concentration camps in the U.S. and are spraying us with “chemtrails”..which are poisons designed to lower our immune system and sicken the population. People who are getting poisoned have fibers coming out of their skin. But our govt who is under the shadow govts control is not doing anything to stop it, similar to 9/11. They have poisoned the food with GMO;s and are using flouride in the water, which was done in Nazi Germany to dumb down the people and make them compliant. They are poisoning the water with cancer viruses and using vaccinations to sicken the population. 1 out of 50 boys become autistic after vaccines..mormom doctors who don’t vaccinate don’t have autistic children..neither do holistic doctors. The mercury in teeth is one of the greatest crimes against humanity. Putting a harmful metal that releases toxic gas that causes cancer, is a crime. Yet this shadow govt controls our medical system, our govt, our military, our food, everything! SOPA is THE AGENDA of the SHADOW GOVT to stop the TRUTH from coming out! But they cannot stop it..Milions of people are waking up to the TRUTH! and we will prevail against this evil psychopath agenda. If you want more info. go watch “the Obama Deception” on youtube and find out which famous political families are behind this Nazi agenda. Also, you can go to Infowars.com and watch more videos and listen to Alex Jones. He tells the truth and we all need to wake up FAST before it’s too late..as these psychos are moving ahead with their New World Order Hitler-ian agenda. WAKE UP!
Valery Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Oh my Gosh, finally I see someone who can see exactly what’s going on. I’ve read a 100s of comments and posts on SOPA and everybody discusses how bad it is for IM and good for big Corporations.
But in reality America is in much more trouble then average American may think. Even big names online seem to be unaware of a real problem.
The interests of big Corporations is just veil for Illuminati World Government to cover what they are really after.
Their first big victory was a Federal Reserve act in 1913. From then all American money are under control of small group of Bankers, governed by Rothchild’s clan.
It’s a nonsense when all the money of a whole nation are under control of not White House and Congress but under control of small group of Jewish Bankers.
Now they want to cut America off from a whole World and do what they want to do- set up a new Communist regime in the US- full control on everybody- every site, firm and every person.
It’s not a fairy tale , it is more serious then you could ever think.
They initiated and sponsored all the revolutions in Europe and in Russia, they sponsored all the major wars, including Hitler. They are the wickedest “people” in the World.
As you may know , they spent a billion dollars on Obama’s campaign from Goldman Sachs funds. They control everything except your souls yet. But they are pressing hard to accomplish this goal in the near future.
So guys, don’t be mislead by other reasons of this Act.
There is on and only reason- A New World Order.
Joyce Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:14 am
Think Jen needs a tin-foil hat?
NOT SO!
Read this:
01-17-2012 Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/is-the-united-states-still-the-land-of-the-free/2012/01/04/gIQAvcD1wP_story.html
10 reasons the US is no longer the land of the free
Mike Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:28 am
Jen, I’m glad to see that you were brave enough to post your comment here. Many people have no idea about the agenda or what it is about…yet the fact that you have openly discussed it on this forum goes to show that the world is waking up.
dianne Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
This has been “shelved”, but the fight is not over. Congress has a history, esp. in the last few years, of writing this type of legislation into some other bill and not telling us, but making the excuse that the bill “must pass” when the public outcry starts again — but too late.
Ive got my vote Matt!!
It would end the web as we know it.
Everyone would struggle to not step on the toes of the big boys
in fear of legal action.
Internet is freedom for most off us and this would disrupt alot.
James
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:29 am
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Thanks James, appreciate your comment
Matt
For those who would like to stop the SOPA bill from passing congress, please sign a petition at http://www.change.org.
Hi Matt,
Great to see that you posted on this issue. I only began to understand the ‘bigger picture’ when i read a post on Clickbank’s blog the other day.
This is potentially HUGE.
Not only the short term possibilities you outline above – but it could be the thin edge of the wedge on greater censorship and control of the internet per se.
I’m generally in favour of less governement intervention, not more. i applaud your call for US readers to take action.
Cheers,
Markus
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:29 am
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Thanks for your input Markus
Matt
Matt, I’m glad to see that people outside the US are taking notice of this, too. For anyone in the US, they can go here to sign a petition, learn more, and see the growing list of corporations against this horrible bill. https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:28 am
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Thanks Dee
Matt
Bill Wynne Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Thanks Dee,
More people need to know about this. There are a lot of people that are not real Internet savvy that will sign this because they are aware of the stealthy progress of corporate America.
We really need to post this on our Facebook walls.
Here are another petitions to sign
http://dontcensorthenet.com/kill-sopa/
http://www.stopthewall.us/
Hi Matt
Like you, I don’t understand what is going on with SOPA. I don’t know if the legislation they are trying to put through is good or bad but something has to be done about PIRACY.
I love writing songs and lets just say I was lucky enough to get a cut, my earnings would be meagre due to piracy.
One of the organisations fighting against piracy is Nashville Songwriters Association. They have been lobbying for the gov to do something for MANY Years – so far to no or little avail.
In the 90’s Nashville had city blocks full of publishing companies employing hundreds if not thousands of “Staff” songwriters. Now I believe there is just a handful of them. I am sure it is similar in LA and NY and other music hubs.
Pirates are profiting from other peoples creations. In its own way YouTube is profiting from others creations also.
Unlawful use does not equate to “Free speech”.
Not only are the big companies losing out on revenue but many “artists” lose. Let alone all the studios, set designers, etc, etc that go into the music and film industries. All small people.
From another aspect the big “Studios / Corporations” aren’t gambling on new acts like they used to. THe downfall is that fewer acts get signed, music suffers and becomes a little more predictable instead of creative and interesting.
Imagine if someone could just take over your websites – I bet you would not be happy about it – especially the ones that you have invested a lot of time, money and emotion into. THen you would have to go back to a JOB like the songwriters above. YUCK!!
So something has to be done about piracy. People have been lobbying for years and nothing gets done.
I make DVD’s, among other things, and one time a purchaser was over heard saying to her friend something like “don’t you buy it, I’ll buy it and you can just copy mine” and another instance “if we each buy a different DVD we can just copy eachothers”. Unfortunately everyone seems to think this is legal and fair.
Once again if you were struggling trying to make a mark on the internet and you were excited about a site just starting to generate some cash and someone came and took it over I will bet you would be jumping up and down.
Just my 2 cents worth.
After all that if you want to listen to one of my songs “When The Last Beatles Gone” click on my name link above. It is a song about how the Beatles influenced our lives and the legacy that will be left after they’re no longer with us.
This one song alone has cost me several thousand dollars, probably weeks of time and love. Years of learning and costs associated with learning. And if somehow it sees the light of day there is a good chance Pirates will make more money than me.
Something is wrong with that picture.
Paul
OK off my soapbox.
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:28 am
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Hi Paul
Thanks so much for sharing your opinion here, good points
Matt
Ross Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 1:31 am
Just think how big the government would have to be to stop those girls from talking like that. Maybe what we need is a law that requires kids to report to the gov. the thoughts and conversations of the parents and also their siblings. You know like Stalin did in Russia.
Of course there were no songs written there under that scheme, I guess no one could write a song that could be approved.
Freedom comes with a price.
Sye Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Hey Paul. I understand where you are coming from. I definitely think it is a sad thing for people to steal other people’s creations and think no big deal of it. I also think there is a fine line between stealing and personal enjoyment.
When I was a kid I used to record tapes of songs I liked when they played on the radio. This happens to be legal. As an adult I have never downloaded a music mp3, I didn’t pay for, and I don’t think it’s okay.
This anti piracy act is something more than protecting musicians, film producers, etc., from what I’ve understood. It’s more about the producers than the musicians, first of all.
Beyond this, it gives controls over the internet that shouldn’t be had. It is potentially the end of public media, produced by people like you and me.
Only the so called experts would be able to own a website, and you can be sure, the experts are not you and me.
I say go after the thieves and be honest with the people who think it’s no big deal to steal other people’s media. Tell them it’s not okay when you hear them talk about it casually.
I’ve personally had some of my website content stolen and it’s hurt me. It’s very serious when someone thinks nothing of it.
Even though I’ve been hurt in the way you have described in your comment, there’s no way I’d support a law that would take so much from “The People” and put almost unlimited power into the hands of a few people.
It seems like that is what SOPA is about to me. This has been talked about a lot in the last few years, and I personally think it’s an opportunity for corrupt powers to take advantage of. They’ll use SOPA as a way to limit the empowering freedoms we’ve found on the internet.
Thanks Paul,
Sye
Lance Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 2:34 am
The thiefs always use an excuse like this to put through a bill for the billionaires benefit.
No bill or anyone is going to protect the little guy who writes songs because lawyers make no big money suing them.
They used 911 to take away our privacy and now sell your information to giant companys and who knows what. Nice huh.
The three credit reporting agencys sell your information without your permission everyday. Do you see a piracy act for that??
For the real truth go to http://www.nucow.com/JYC.htm for our only hope to a true democracy which, with bills like SOPA, time is running out. Ignore antique radio info unless into that.
PS: the Beatles had 100 million dollars of Ad money propogate the USA for 6 months before you even heard one high dollar studio cut. One of these studios could make a frog sound like Nat King Cole. Do you have this backing?
Lance
JanPaul Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 2:47 am
Hey Paul,
I feel for you. It is not funny to be ripped off and I myself get very annoyed with serial refunders.
But I think that SOPA is like using a gun to kill a fly. It’s not the right way to go, but out of proportion.
Becoming more creative with the distribution and especially the protection of your content is a much better way and there are new possibilities to protect your stuff. Not long ago I saw a presentation of ‘revizzit’ and I was rather impressed with that method.
I haven’t tried that yet, but it seems to work.
All the best,
JanPaul
Hi Matt,
You know, this has been hanging around for weeks now and I have to admit, I just ignored it. some part of me didn’t want to know because I thought it wouldn’t affect me.
But you are the first person I’ve come across who I took the time to see what it’s all about and I’m slightly shocked. No wonder there is so much bad feeling about this.
Why is it that just as we start ‘getting it together’ as a global village, and the possibility of us all getting along better, some bright spark comes along with an ‘idea’ to wreck it? Always!
Surely you don’t need a DBO – Diploma in the Bleedin Obvious – to see that it is the freedoms we have at present that bring us closer together. Why try to shut that down?
Thanks, mate.
Andy Moore
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:36 am
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Hi Andy, thanks for your input,
Matt
Like you Matt I had heard of it but never paid any attention to it until Wikipedia and others brought it to our attention. I support that they are trying to stop copyright material from being shared, but their execution is very very bad.
They should focus on sorting out the economy first before things like this, because this will negatively affect many businesses.
They simply need to draw up a list of the positive effects of the bill vs. the negative effects and it will be clear to them that this bill is very dangerous and pointless.
There is only one benefit of the bill (which is to make a very few handful of people only slightly more richer than they already are, and there are so many negative effects of this bill that listing them all here will take all day.
It is a no brainer really isn’t it.
I mean if big companies like Google, Facebook, Wikipedia, and many many more are against this bill then surely this must be telling them something!?
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:26 am
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I totally agree Brad, great points
Matt
Here is the best explanation I’ve seen, at least on video, of both SOPA and PIPA (Protect IP Act), the nearly identical Senate version of the bill (SOPA is a House bill). It is from Khan Academy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzqMoOk9NWc
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 10:56 am
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Thanks Michael, I wil embed this video now
Matt
Valerie Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Yeah, this is a great explanation of how the proposed legislation works, why it will destroy the internet as we know it and how contrary it is to the principles of a free society.
Good news:
SOPA has been shelfed.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/01/16/obama-says-so-long-sopa-killing-controversial-internet-piracy-legislation/
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 10:57 am
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Cool, thanks Wolfgang!
Matt
tymon Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:50 am
Even though the shelving of SOPA appears to be a victory, we cannot trust the government to not reintroduce the bill after sprucing it up as a kinder and gentler effort to rob of us our ability to freely disseminate information and speak our minds on the internet without fear of the censor’s truncheon crashing down. After all, in 2010 the government shut down 73,000 web sites under the cover of fighting copyright infringement.
We must continue to let our “representatives” in Congress know that in no uncertain terms will we accept any modification of the internet at the behest of large corporations and the globalists who intend by hook or by crook to neuter the only free communication medium left to the people.
Use the links below to contact Congress now and speak your mind:
Congress:
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
http://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
STOP AMERICAN CENSORSHIP:
http://americancensorship.org/
Read the bills in full here:
SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act):
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3261
PIPA (Protect IP Act):
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-968
YOU are the resistance.
dianne Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Just that it has been shelved means absolutely nothing. Congress has several times in the last few years said it was shelving something only to sneak it into a “must pass” legislation and ram it thru when no one is looking. They have an agenda and they will stop at nothing to see it thru, and this is not only an assault on our First Amendment rights, but will end alternative media, including how to take care of ourselves without using Big Pharma drugs. See above about infowars.com and Alex Jones, he knows what he is talking about. This is no longer a conspiracy theory, it has been proven. Thank you Matt for bringing this to your audience, this is a huge fight and it is not over. Vote Ron Paul to in this insanity, he is the only candidate that is not a puppet of the elite who are trying to bring about the New World Order, where the world would have no freedom.
OMG… Are you serious?
How people could exaggerate so much! lol
How are they gonna take down the whole Google, Facebook, YouTube, CNN, etc… Just because some dude published something illegal????
It’s like saying that some kind of cops are gonna shut down USA because there are murders and robbers lol
I think some people are tripping out and not using their common sense.
They could warn these sites about these stupid people… but shut them down over night???
That doesn’t make sense…
dianne Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
They absolutely will, no questions asked, no warning. It has already happened to a few websites, and there is no way to monitor comments to avoid it. I could link to say, a Michael Jackson song, and the next thing, Matt is shut down for it, his paypal account frozen. It is REAL, this government is out of control.
Niksbro Suguitan Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 1:06 am
This is a serious matter and It really doesn’t make sense indeed. We should help and unite all to stop this, especially online and offline entrepreneurs. Many will lose jobs and it will become a disaster for us. Even those that don’t live in the USA will be affected too.
Whoa!!! I just read that Godaddy.com was backing that bill 100% and lost a bunch of accounts because of it.
I think we should all step up to the plate here and boycott godaddy.com for that.
They are in bed with the devil on that!
I hate to bring up conspiracy ideas but this is just one more ploy to take control. George Orwell was not too far off in “1984” and we are heading towards that Orwellian society more and more.
Since 9/11 rights are being yielded one after another. From online pharmacies and Legitscript to this SOPA.
The big corporations are going to do all that they can to squash and control the small business. Just look at what Wal-Mart, Home Depot and corporations like that do to the mom and pop shops.
If you follow politics in the United States this is a hot issue, allowing corporations to fund campaigns, which we know will lead to “back scratching” in the future.
Makes me sick…
The Internet provides a great deal of freedom and that is why they want to control it.
Argh!!!
Matt Carter Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
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I agree Bill…Matt
As a musician I also would like to respond to our friend’s comments above – re censorship.
I’ve been a musican since the age of 7 and I’m now 56. I’ve been professional, though like most musicians I’ve never become a superstar. But I’ve seen my fair share of action and sold albums, and have played in a pretty famous band for 7 years.
Frankly, album piracy doesn’t worry me at all. It aids the publicity of the band, and the band is able to exploit other avenues of income to the increased fanbase.
If I want an album I buy it because it is a nice product with all the sleeve notes. I earn from playing gigs, and there is no substitute for live performance, so there will always be money to be made if you are a reasonably good musician… and even a crappy musician if you are dedicated enough.
I also download copyrighted material out of curiosity and for pleasure… If it is worthy of a purchase then I buy it if I can afford it. If I can’t afford it then I still enjoy it, and the publicity machine works on to the benefit of the band as I tell others about it.
As a musician, I play music out of love. It is in my experience that when we become possessive of our product then that has a negative influence on our success.
When I can afford to buy products and music then I buy it, and I believe that there are many others who do the same because it is the right thing to do. But I also see the value in free stuff, whether pirated or given, and I believe it to be totally wrong to restrict the freedoms of people by strangling the system that we have all become accustomed to. I bet our other musician friend doesn’t think twice about enjoying a music video on Youtube, whether it is copyrighted material or not.
Think before you support censorship. It is an evil desease which causes far more harm than good.
Norman
Paul (Songwriter) Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Hey Norman
All cudos to you for playing in a “pretty famous” band. i wish i could say the same for myself.
Great you love performing live and I bet you get PAID for that. Or maybe you do it for free?
Unfortunately i do not possess your god given talent and what I love to do is write songs. I don’t get paid anything for that. I Have to pay to get demos, then I have to shop it around. I do that all the hard work and spend my hard earned money because I love it.
Odds are that I will never make a cent from that love. All I would ask is that if I do get it right on a song that I get paid for it and not some pirate. I don’t think that is asking too much.
You know what when I like a song I download it from Itunes, and if i like the whole album I will download it as well. It is – what – .99cents or something. and thank you for your conviction that I too must sit and watch YouTube all day.
– “the system that we have all become accustomed to” – so who says that the system is right or just. That is a big part of the problem – everyone thinks it is right because it has become the norm. That’s what Lemmings are.
What if someone came and stole your favourite guitar, that you worked really hard to buy? how would you feel then. What would you do if you then saw someone playing your guitar on stage. Sit back and say Well good luck to you I can “see the value in free stuff, whether pirated or given”. My guess is you would go straight to the police. I know I would.
I don’t know whether this SOPA is good or bad – at least it is making people sit up and listen to both sides, and with luck a fair conclusion may be reached for both sides.
Paul
Hi Matt
Like you I didnt take too much notice until yesterday when I tried to access a couple of sites and they were closed in protest to the bill I registered my disapproval re a form on one of the sites. I think it will need to be kept an eye on because if the US govt is anything like the Aus govt it will come back under another name and not so obvious next time.
Linda
Hi Matt,
Thanks for sharing this SOPA info. I live in Indonesia, at first I didn’t really understand about it till I watched the video here -thanks, it really informative!, I thought since I live in Indonesia it probably won’t affect me.
I like the idea about ‘stop piracy’, but I don’t like their ‘execution’, they should be able to find the way to sort things out not just wipe out the whole site “just like that” that being accused have facilitate copyrighted material. If that happens, this SOPA will just kill the internet!
Hi Matt, great stuff. My thoughts on the whole thing are, they won’t be able to stop online piracy any more with a bill than they can now.. all it will do is create fear and misplaced control over a medium that should be free. The FCC works much like that.. government wants to control thought, and in the end, control you, while protecting their best interest, which is the large corporations which fills their pockets every year.
But what will happen should this pass is, not only will big brother be able to censor the net, but pirate sites will still continue to operate.. and if they do start to disappear, the people will just turn to p2p file sharing sites by the droves. A great retribution will happen, and we will see rogue site after rogue site, p2p files filled with unstoppable worms and viruses, ahh pure anarchy! I cant wait! 😀
But seriously, it’s like gun control.. I’m opposed to guns and violence.. but take away our right to own them, and the only ones left with guns will be criminals! I’m not for piracy, nor am I against it.. I believe you ought to decide what is right for you, though, and not the government or corporations who control the wealth and greed of the nation to decide. Online freedom is one of the few freedoms we have left, and it must be protected at all costs.
Ron Brantley Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 4:17 am
Like someone once said…If they outlaw guns, then only outlaws will have guns”
After yesterday, SOPA is essentially dead. There was so much backlish that many congressmen initially supporting withdrew their support. In an election year, they can’t afford to be backing a law that they don’t fully understand. Plus, Obama said he would never approve of such a law and basically shrugged his shoulders at it knowing that it was just a ridiculous law. So, rest easy people…..
Is there anything we can do if we are not resident in the USA?
I’ve been making as many people as I can aware of the implications on social networking. I’ve also signed an Avaaz petition
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet/
But I would like to do all I can to see the bill and any other like it dropped.
Hi Matt,
thanks for bringing this up.. same as everyone else, it wasn’t until I tried to use Wikipedia and it was blacked out that I realised how serious this is.
The internet is a massive worldwide “people’s” resource that should not “belong” to anyone and not be “controlled” by anyone. Particularly in this situation where someone can legally shut someone down that they think is transgressing the SOPA law.
As a musician and which has been mentioned before, the inernet is a wonderful resource to hear music as well as create and distribute music. I won’t go into detail because other posts have discussed the pros and cons of pirating music, suffice to say, that physically owning a CD is a wonderful pleasure for me.
I feel for the companies that don’t make as much money or get the returns they would like after investing thousands and millions of dollars making music or movies, but killing the many to catch the few is NOT the way to go.
Hi Matt,
I have already written my Senators and Representatives strongly opposing the US House SOPA Bill HR3261 (Stop Online Piracy Act) and the second part to this, the US Sentate Bill S968.
For further information, go to opencongress.org.
Everybody has pretty much said it – Just another attempt at mass control by the governments who are owned by the big corporates, who are owned by a few families who rule the whole world – my world and your world.
Ever since the Internet came into being, these families have been shivering in their pants because they were slowly but surely loosing control of their world. Their world where they can manipulate everything from forcing us to have a silly job in their big organisations to keeping the cure for cancer from us.
People’s conciousness levels have and are changing at a rapid pace. You only have to read the comments here and take note of actions by the likes of Wikipedia.
The Internet has set our world free. It is bigger than them and all their attempts to control it will fail.
Bring it on 2012!
Matt,
The video explained SOPA better….This is not very good move.
However..there some sort of legislation is required to stop piracy online. The current method is not really good.
For example. Matt Carters Rapid profit Formula is freely available online for download. It costs $77. If Matt can stop this piracy then that would help him earn the money from the product that he has very painfully created.
(I am not adding the link here for the sake of it)
My judgement: SOPA is needed but in a better refined way that doesn’t destroy the freedom on the Internet.
It’s time to do some double-checking of the facts here.
I did some investigating and the facts are that GoDaddy does not support this SOPA bill. There are all kinds of press releases on their site stating that although they did take part in the initial work on the bill, in order to create a bill that would work for the industry, they do not, and cannot support it in it’s current form. They have come out strongly against it.
It seems that other domain registrars are spreading falsehoods in an effort to take business away from GoDaddy. Incidentally, in the interest of full disclosure, I do business with both GoDaddy and NameCheap. I also have a site selling domain names.
I just hate to see this kind of blatant misinformation being spread all over the internet.
Hi Matt
In late 80′s over 90% of India’s pc owners had pirated Windows & DOS. This included almost everyone you can think of… Today 7 out of 10 people have a pc with broadband. IMHO piracy helped computing grow. Everyone benefited: advertisers, broadband cos, institutes, websites, companies etc.
All big American board manufacturers like Intel benefited from this. The leap from 286–>386–>Pentium–>Core 3 trio … all happened because of flourishing sales, even dial-up to LAN-based to broadband/DSL is because of this … piracy. WHEN SATURATION POINT COMES the same companies (from a different front) now cry foul, and ask for some legislation. This same flourishing Internet brought many convenience sites like Fiverr.
I bet rogue countries like Somalia will gain from this blockout. When biggies can’t stop their ships from hijacked, what if they put websites offering almost everything? A simple email is needed to circulate the url and everyone will join in the fun.
Music companies blatantly copy either native or foreign folk tunes and deny any royalty or compensation, but want to rake in all possible money.
As our Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev asserted “Medical MNC’s dont want to cure anyone, rather want you to purchase medicines forever to fill their pockets” … these same tactics have been applied here too.
WHY WORRY ABOUT THE POLITICIANS? Next time if all the populace vows to vote only if the SOPA is thrown out, they will accede, after-all who does not want to retain their seats?
As with many things SOPA was first written for very good reasons; to stop piracy. Piracy of everything you can think of from music, videos, movies, books even products. The idea is simple. Those who engage in piracy through the internet can have their web site closed down by the hosting company and the ip address can be blocked by the infrastructure providers. So far no problems. The problems start to surface when you see that this is not done through a court of law. the burden of proof is extremely flimsy. If you own the copyright on something and you suspect another site of violating that copyright, you write to the hosting company and inform them. They will black out that site because if they don’t they too could be in violation so they will not risk doing otherwise. Of there millions of videos on YouTube how many are distributed by the copyright holder?? You Tube is likely to ask members who upload videos to prove that they have the right to do so. The vast majority of them do not.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The videos and music are fairly obvious. The biggest problem comes in the grey areas. Anything contentious can be steamrolled into SOPA. One company complains about what another company is saying so they blame the hosting company for allowing it to be published. Hosting company plays safe and blacks it out. SOPA opens the door to control on the internet and I don’t disagree with that but the major corporations and lawyers will blast that door wide open.
I disapprove of the ability to find out how to build a home made bomb on the internet, how to make a water borne poison and so on. I disapprove of sites that show people how to break copyright. Breaking copyright is illegal, the internet should not play a part in illegal activities. It is the scale of the problem and the totally ineffective legal system that has caused the corporations to seek the powers that SOPA offers up. One of the comments above says Obama has quashed SOPA. I have not seen that anywhere but I hope it’s true. We need something to stop piracy but SOPA is not it.
Thanks for all of the good information Matt. The link I’m putting here is an excellent video that explains things pretty well.
I think most people will be on the side of a free internet after hearing what’s said Here!
Thanks for spreading the word Matt.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your info on SOPA.
This is just another badly thought out piece of legislation that would allow over zealous corporations and bureaucrats to reduce our freedom on the internet.
If people don’t think that sanity will per vale just look at what the Lacey Act has done to Gibson Guitars.
http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Contests/2011/Fight-For-Your-Right-To-Rock.aspx
Matt,
The Con Artist don’t want anybody to be freed indeed and now they are trying another modernized method of Enslavement by sponsoring whatever they call it . I hope you all remember NETFLIX and what happen to them.
Let them commit monumental mistake that will favor someone/something else. I know that the supporters/biters will be bitten at the end.
Hey folks,
You wanna know the TRUTH about SOPA?
Hint Hint … it is NOT about piracy. The establishment is using the piracy problem as a DECOY on the masses to try to clamp down on freedom of speech!
The global elite are well aware that more and more people are starting to wake up to the TRUTH of what is REALLY TRULY going on in the world … with the economy, politics, the wars, spirit realm etc etc.
The more people wake up, the harder it becomes for the global elite to advance their agenda … because their agenda is TOTALITARIAN DICTATORSHIP … TOTAL CONTROL … over the whole world, not just the Internet!
And if people wanna be ready for what this world is about to through over the next few years, MAN, they better start waking up outa their sleep … and fast! Seriously!
I’d like to quote and draw attention to some important sections of 2 news articles –
“These bills give the federal government unprecedented power to censor Internet content and will stifle the free flow of information and ideas.”
——————–
“SOPA is not legislating for anything that the government isn’t already engaged in carrying out.”
——————–
“In short, intense lobbying from the entertainment industry, urging the government to protect copyrighted content, is being used as yet another front by an establishment hell bent on restricting freedom of speech and the free flow of information to ramp up a long running crack down on the internet.
As we have ceaselessly documented, legislation is being drafted left, right and center in an effort to ensure complete control over cyberspace.
Lawmakers like Senator Joe Lieberman have teamed up with Department of Homeland Security officials to push draconian legislation in an effort to mimic the Communist Chinese system of policing the Internet.
Legislation such as The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act is written around the notion that big government decides who can say what on the web. The nightmare vision provides the President the power to shut down the entire Internet with a figurative flick of a switch.
Simultaneously, legislation such as The Cybersecurity Act and the “Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011″ propose allowing the federal government to tap into any digital aspect of every citizen’s information without a warrant. Banking, business and medical records would be wide open to inspection, as well as personal instant message and e mail communications.
The push to restrict and control the internet, as we have repeatedly warned for years, is being pursued by an elite few petrified at the fact that alternative and independent sources of information are now eclipsing corporate and government controlled outlets in terms of audience share, trust, and influence.
Regulation and censorship of the Internet would not only represent a massive assault on free speech, it would also create new roadblocks for e-commerce and as a consequence further devastate the economy. The move, which will not end with SOPA and PIPA, should be met with fierce opposition at every level and from across the political spectrum.”
Source: http://www.infowars.com/sopa-co-sponsors-defect-backtrack-after-blackout/
————————————————–
————————————————–
“That’s what we’re facing if SOPA becomes law: A virtual wipeout of all truth across the internet.”
——————–
“The Internet is the vehicle for restoring freedom and crushing tyranny.
Why is the U.S. government working so feverishly to crush independent, truthful information on the internet? Because the globalist controllers realize that THE INTERNET IS THE LAST BASTION OF FREEDOM IN A WORLD RUN BY GLOBAL ELITE CORPORATISTS.
While the global elite own and run the mainstream (corporate whore) media, and they own Congress, and they own all the influential non-profits such as the wholly corrupt American Cancer Society, they do not yet control the internet! This freaks them out, especially when they see so much truth being produced by liberty-loving individuals who are exposing the neocons, the socialists, and the criminal-minded thugs who run Wall Street and the White House.
They are desperate to crush internet freedom and SOPA is the tool they hope to use to accomplish that. This is why your opposition to SOPA is absolutely crucial. It’s also why internet giants such as Wikipedia and Reddit have joined in this one-day protest against the tyranny of SOPA and what is fast becoming a government-sponsored “information terrorism” campaign against free speech.
Take action NOW – or you will lose internet free speech forever!”
Source: http://www.infowars.com/sopa-and-pipa-bills-could-threaten-natural-health-websites-with-government-ordered-shutdown/
————————————————–
————————————————–
So there you have it folks…
The above 2 news articles go into great detail on the TRUTH about SOPA. I HIGHLY encourage everybody to read them.
Hey it’s not a pleasant message to hear … but it’s the TRUTH … straight up!
Whether you like it or not …… believe it or not …… understand it or not …… doesn’t EVER change the TRUTH.
So be encouraged. Stand up for your freedoms and for truth, and don’t let the government hijack the Internet and our livelihoods!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for covering this issue. I am a US citizen and online marketer and a Musician of over 20 yrs. This Act is NOT the answer to Piracy.
Musicians have much more opportunity to create followers and increase sales (regardless of piracy) today more than ever, using online marketing strategies and tools. Musicians have a real opportunity to create real sustainable businesses for themselves and really do not need a record company anymore.
I believe that since the rise of Social Media and post-Napster the industry has lost much of its footing. Compared to pre-Napster that is.
The Music Industry is a very suppressive industry in general and this would just allow these corporations more control over what we get to hear and watch… not to mention all other side effects on freedom of speech and direct access to data.
The Internet is a powerful source of information. Allowing companies, special interest groups, or Governments to control what information we get to read, watch, or listen to is bad news.
As far as I know, we are winning. However (from what I have read) they are re-packaging this and still trying to slip it through.
I could only imagine what Social Media, Bookmarking sites, and Youtube would look like in the aftermath of such legislation.
Thanks again for covering this… we as Internet Marketers need to continue to make noise on this until it is fully squashed.
Craig
Hello Matt,
The 2012 has a bad ring about it..maybe those Mayan’s got it right after all. Just keep watch whats going on in Iran..the internet will only be used for military purposes I would suspect. Okay somewhat off the track but this deal smells of Chinese , I think on the internet watch this country performs over its nation and say that its is just that mentioned before…One World Order! Also refer to “Revelations” concerns United Nations and the US. I say no more. OH by the way as anyone got there mark yet? Wont be long the censorship of the internet is a step towards the grander plan of micro-chipped humans programmed for total control. Bring on the Terminator lets get this party started.
Way to go Norman,
Music for the love, not for the money.
Laws like these are not intended to serve the public cause.
I#ve heard Obama put the law ‘on ice’ for now, but I will bet you my new leather shoe he or the next President will silently pass the law through congress again as soon as the elections are over.
I live in Europe, and if this law becomes reality, we are up next.
Scary stuff people..
The YouTube video link Michael provided was great. Thanks Michael.
Hopefully Wolfgang is right with his link also and it doesn’t get through the senate in a month or EVER.
Personally, I can’t see it happening to be honest. Far, far to many ramifications world wide if it is passed in the format the Senate is proposing.
People, The Same People Who are Trying to Have the SOPA Law Pass, Are the Same People that Distributed the File Sharing Software. You Don`t Believe Me? Watch This Short Video:
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/stopsopatoday
OR
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/stopsopatoday
Matt,
Thank you for posting and bringing attention to this issue.
I have been following you for a couple of years and really appreciate all the wonderful information and encouragement you pass along. That said, I will try not to rant in the following but please allow me some latitude.
You have it right on SOPA, don’t forget PIPA, Both bills are equally damaging and go hand in hand. I Have been following this for a few months. The short version of what I have learned is this, AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and Viacom are the ones spending the money to get these bills passed. For those that are outside of America that don’t know, these company’s are the major players as American Internet Providers.
For anyone really interested in the backroom politico support for this insanity need only to look to the law firms that are buying up copyright protections by the thousands and suing everyone who can still breath in Silicon Valley. (A business hint to Matt and his kind).
They have framed the argument that these two bills are to protect intellectual property’s and the entertainment industry without any consideration or public discussion that the real pirating, resulting in lost revenues, is from offshore.. Neither of these bills do a single thing to stop that activity. What they will do is give ultimate control to “someone” unknown, to make decisions about who is good and who is bad. Meaning, someone will decide weather your content is original or you will have to prove it, probably with a lawyer.
What these bills will do, if passed, is create a large sucking sound when all the small time players are shut out of the internet in America. They will move on to other things or head offshore. (repeat hint here).
The end result of these bills passing would be, the big players could simply accuse anyone, without large amounts of money for legal fee’s, of duplicate content and have their domains shut down.
Mass conspiracy? Not really, when you look at American business practices over the last three decades. I will point to the energy and financial services industries as two examples. If you want everyone to use your website, simple solve the competition problem, make all the others disappear. The Right Wing politics in America calls this “Free Market”. Yes I am getting a little political here but I live in a country where half the population does not vote for someone who does not sing or dance.
All of my previous rambling has a point. Our Senators who wrote this bill (my Senator is a co sponsor on these bills) are reasonable folks but flawed in their understanding of the party to which they were brought.
Senator Boxer of California (co sponsor) received a letter from me months ago and a repeat recently not to mention phone calls. Her facebook page has been swamped with request to stop this. Senator Sanders, Vermont, is a primary on the bills and is one of our most reasonable Senators.
People must write, call and facebook their Senators. It is imperative that we not allow this to happen. Those of you “out of country” can also facebook and spend ten dollars on a social ad campaign to get other to take action. Please inundate social networks with ads to take action. Write to friends and family and help them to understand. These bills will directly effect everyone who has ever logged on. The Obama Administration has already come out against this.
This is the door that opens that never ending excuse to reduce freedom and insert corporate control over America’s internet use. Take action now people or forever hold your peace.
The side point, I try to make to the Senators I have written and spoken about this with is the following,. “Who gets to decide what duplicate content is and who gets to define piracy. These are the fatal flaws of this legislation”. The Supreme Court ruled it could not decide what pornography was, but one of their elite claimed he knew it when he saw it. Could he define duplicate content for us?
These Senators will understand a reasonable argument presented respectfully and they will vote this down.
Hey Matt Great Post and Video Glad you are Helping Get the Word out This SOPA Bill is Wrong for everyone!!.But for Those of Us Making Money Online is Could be a Disaster and Might all But Wipe Out ‘Affiliate Marketing Has We Know It!! Thanks Matt
Hi Matt,
This recently caught my attention! Please out there in the internet world believe that we over here (The States) are all asleep at the wheel fore we aren’t. But it’s been a hard slog for us here that believe in “Freedom & Liberty” to fight a growing government, there’s been to many deals struck over the past 3 yrs and when a behemoth starts going it’s terribly hard to stop it much less slow it down. We are waking up over here and I believe that the next election cycle may be the most important in many years for us! thank you Matt and to the many others that are begining to educate because here is where this battle will be “Won or Lost” God Bless All!
Hi Matt, I think it’s just a politic game. I am not stay in US. But i don’t want SOPA like you.
I’m just thinking that everything I’ve worked towards over the last 2 years may come to an end. That’d be right. When I’ve got to the point where within the next few months I can actually start working for myself fulltime, they move the goalposts and it’s all gonna change. Kinda akin to the censorship that places like China have. I’ve always thought it strange how the goverment uses oppression for its own gain, but then starts spouting about the 5th amendment, which is usually a way for people with power to say what they want to, then oppress anyone that opposses their view.
Oh well, looks like another step forward for the “Illuminati”! what happened to ”Freedom Of Speech Policy” ?
For people who don’t know who these “illuminati” are this might enlighten you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBKDZhu-EZw
Thanks for this thread Matt!
Hi Matt
The SOPA and PIPA bills are disgusting and simply an attempt to control the freedoms and liberties we used to enjoy in real life.
Put simply, if these bills are passed, then corporations can dictate the content on the internet and abuse their powers by ultimately removing any competition they see fit to.
If this were to happen, internet marketers could end up being wiped off the face of the internet as the corporate giants may see what we are doing for their competitors as a hinderance to their own products/services and shut us down. And lets face it, how many of us really have millions of $$$ to fight any shutdown through the courts…
It about time the music and film industries adapted to their changing market conditions, just as every other business on the planet does.
most of the interneter are not try to steal any things from anyone, it is a freedom that human looking for, there is already act to enforce on priracy, but some community just feel that is not enough, so they want to extend their power of control every thing in the name of SOPA, under SOPA, for sure there will no freedom, any site can be acused, if 50% of website were acuse?, who can help?
there shall be anti-SOPA
No company can handle to check all websites, as the content may change from time to time—it is a fact.
how for non-us go against SOPA-
i will give my 1 vote to anti-SOPA.
Nice going Matt. You certainly made it clear as to what this enormous power grab is all about. We have had anti-piracy laws on the books for eons but they are not enforced. Big Daddy wants to direct our lives from cradle to grave and here comes one more intrusion. Follow the money! The left leaning Senate is beholding to Hollywood and this is just one more means of payback.
What a wonderful world this would be if government would just get out of the way! Let’s all show those clowns that this is our government–not theirs. Come on November!
Don
Hi Matt,
I agree that SOPA is a bad way to combat the problem and should be stopped.
However, this is causing a backlash of sorts as reported on Google news today.
Hackers retaliate over Megaupload
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-16646023
Matt,
I don’t think anyone can seriously downplay the importance of defeating this legislation. Once a law is passed an entire cadre of professional Bureaucrats will be working very hard on regulation and enforcement. There is already plenty of law that protects against copyright infringement and piracy. These corporations want to control the internet by eliminating competition and independent voices.
They are relying on the ignorance of everyone including legislators plus intense lobbying to force this through. This is so typical of our corrupt and incompetent government. There’s no America anymore.
Great post and very informative comments. The Khan academy video is a must watch for those who want a primer on the issue. While the law has been shelved, it is not over by any means. If you are a US citizen, make sure to contact your Congressional reps and register your reaction. And stay informed. Hollywood will be back.
Don’t be fooled into thinking SOPA has been shelved for good. This thing will rear it’s ugly head in another form. The goal is to take away our freedom to communicate with each other and they don’t care if that hurts people just trying to make a living as long as they can have the power to silence those who do not agree with them.
I hate paypal …they’ll stop your account for no reason now… can you imagine if they can use the excuse of piracy without any proof needed whatsoever?
And make no mistake SOPA is a tool for the big corporations/government to take more power from us.
Seems it more about gaining power to use or abuse than stopping crime online. The internet is too huge so it will be about who has the power and money. They will then use this “law” and will choose who they decide to go after based on whats they have to gain.
Congress is starting a war against the world this time ! they are going nutts !
leave the internet free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aymen From Tunisia (The Tunisian IM 🙂 )
The SOPA bill is crazy! America is the land of freedom therefore information should have Freedom. America has enough internet law for piracy and no need for this kind of bill.
This stinking dirty old man Lamar Smith doesn’t really understand how internet business goes, I believe because we has born before the internet, I think he should rest in peace inside the coffin for the world’s sake.
Worse is, many online business will shut down which will affect not only the economy of the US but the entire world because most of the sites are hosted in the US.
Hi Matt,
I agree with most of the comments made that it is a very dangerous bill, and opens the door for even worse legislation to come. I would like to clarify one thing you said, however. If it passes, the government is the one to abuse power, not corporations. Corporations have no power to force people to do or not do things. Its the government that has that power. Im no fan of corporate monoliths, i love small business and both corporations and government are anti small business. But always remember that only the government has the power to legislate… And it will always grab power when it can. It is our job as citizens to be vigilant and protect our freedoms.
Dear Matt,
Thank you for giving us this information about SOPA. I live in Peru and when hear about it I didn’t really understand very well until watched your video and found really useful, although I live in Peru, sure this crazy law can affect all users in the world.
We know piracy is a big problem, but I think this is not a good way to fight it, SOPA only will close many websites without any control, hope congress don’t approve this law, because definitively will kill the basic rule of internet “Share Information”
I signed a petition on Google yesterday against SOPA. And I am of the same mind as Chris. Making SOPA law isn’t going to stop piracy any more than gun control stops criminals from finding firearms. If someone is intent on doing wrong, they’ll find a way. It’s only going to hurt the smaller websites trying to make an honest dollar on the internet. Government needs to BACK OFF and give us back our freedoms that they are taking away one by one.
I wasn’t aware that GoDaddy supported this bill. I have several domains with them and this makes me nervous. How hard is it to transfer domain names? lol
Now that SOPA has been stopped (temporarily) we need to start petitioning the Senate bill which is due for consideration on January 24th.
This is an email that I received on Dec. 27th. I sent it to Representative Harry Mitchell in the US House.
Please watch the video — very enlightening.
The Internet is under attack.
It’s called SOPA…the so-called
“Stop Online Privacy Act.”
The sponsors of the Act to the
tune of $100 million in lobbying
costs: Big Media.
If you’re not aware of the facts,
it’s time to take a look.
This is a bad law that will be bad
for the Internet – and you.
http://youtu.be/WJIuYgIvKsc
Hey Matt,
Last week I read somewhere that Rupert Murdoch was picking a fight with Google over this matter. I thought he was clearly overplaying his hand, knowing how easy it is for Google to ‘sandbox’ all the sites of Murdoch.
When I read which IT companies (except Godaddy apparently) are opposing SOPA, I don”t think that the internet will be censored anytime soon. We should not worry too much.
Also Obama understands the internet and viral marketing very well. That’s how he won! So I can’t see him being in favor of SOPA at all.
Cheers,
JanPaul
This bill is not really about piracy. It is about control. More and more the government wants to control everything and everyone. The founders of this American republic fought the war for independence to get us out of government control, so that we could be free. The bills would take away some of that freedom. And the pirates would find a way to continue operating.
Give them not an inch. Far too many infringments on our liberties as is.
Hi Matt,
I would just like to make a small correction to something you said. In the final analysis, it isn’t corporations who acquire power from this bill, it’s the government. Corporations don’t/won’t have the power to force anybody to do anything, but the government does. The goverment has the power to legislate. That is why this bill is so dangerous.
Hey Matt,
This would end online business as we know it. Imagine having thousands of backlinks coming to your site and just one of those sites probably a whole lot more, infringing on copyrighted material.
They hold you responsible as well and can block your site or sites.
And, from what Ive read, it would be very difficult to get your site back online again.
Everyone reading this that has or plans to have any kind of online presence needs to adhere to this serious threat by doing your homework and casting your “no” vote to congress by the 24th of this month. That’s when they accept or reject the SOPA and PIPA
bill.
Thanks,
Ron
Hi Matt,
Interesting stuff here, I’ve watched the video and read each and every comment and here’s my take on the whole thing…
From what the video presents the proposed bill sounds ridiculous as so many bills are. As one commenter stated if this was to be passed the only people pirating would be the pirates themselves. If someone wishes to break the law they will find a way to do so.
I believe strongly in a persons right to free speech and that every person has the right to live free. I would fight for your freedom. However piracy is illegal, it’s morally and ethically wrong it’s what law abiding people call theft.
As for the comment that I buy when I can afford to and when I can’t I steal how in the world can anyone believe this is correct behavior. It really kind of ticks me off that some people believe we have some inherent right to have whatever or do whatever we want. If I can’t afford I do without it’s that simple!
I wish success, money, prosperity, happiness on everyone but you have to work for it! It is not owed to us!
Well that’s my 2 cents for what its worth.
For the people outside USA here is where you can
vote against the Protect IP Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet/?fEqgucb&pv=194
Thank you Matt and the team for the IM Blog and the webinars.
If this happens in the United States – the home of freedom, then what about the corrupt and backward third world countries?
Any government wants to limit the rights, liberty, and take everything under control – Internet scares them to no censorship of speech, thought and free enterprise. They need a reason and they find it …
We must become the champions in this game! 🙂
Well to my point of view someone has to draw the line somewhere.
Internet has become a free for all nonsens speaking tribune.
Internet got to have rules and aply them just as newspapers or any
regulated medias. People tend to forget was is the privilege of free
speaking . Now of course it dosen’t mean didtatorship it mean internet
got to have certain guide lines. I would be in favor as long as the SOPA
gets rid of criminals well you know all those emails that we receive
every days and those spammers that surely should fell into the trap of SOPA and not only regular people like you and me that would be targeted. As of now internet is as good as it is bad ,great way to learn
for entertainement, to inform but also a trash can.
Hi Matt,
Congress just killed the Sopa Bill. Google alone had 200 Attorneys fighting against the bill…We won for now;-)
As if that weren’t enough of an Internet choke-hold attempt, there is also PIPA (Protect IP) which was scheduled for a vote in Congress next Tuesday and has been postponed in light of the outcry against it. These bills are obviously a knee-jerk reaction to the ongoing problem of piracy and were drawn up by people who haven’t a clue how the Internet works and aren’t concerned about the collateral damage they’ll inflict on the Internet community as a whole. There have been other similar attempts over the years here in the U.S., but SOPA & PIPA got a lot of attention this time around because of protests from well known companies like Wikipedia, WordPress and Reddit.
This is an issue that I think should be resolved from a technological approach rather than a legislative one. At least with technology the solution can be applied specifically to the problem. Whenever government gets involved, it’s often like someone throwing a grenade into a room to eradicate a rat problem.
I believe these bills will never see the light of day, at least in the broad legal language that it is proposed. The opposition is growing stronger. It is an election year folks! USA voters should take note of those who are supporting these bills in the House of Representatives and the Senate. And for those who live outside the USA, you could put pressure on all those multinational corporations endorsing SOPA by not consuming their products in protest until they completely desist. Here’s a small list of some corporations supporting SOPA and PIPA:
Pfizer
Association of American Publishers
News Corporation
Xerox Corporation
Walmart
Dow Chemical
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
National Confectioners Association
Estee Lauder Companies
Sony Pictures Entertainment
CBS Corporation
Hi matt
I think ppl from the us they to act smarter
Like open they company other country like Spain or new Zealand
Why they don’t deal with that BS law
I hope the law limits the use of cut and paste activities in the internet.
http://getridofsmoking.org
If these corporations are to have their way, they will be not much better or even worse than what they THINK we are now.
Take Hollywood for example. They are not internet marketing companies. They are entertainment companies. How many times do they surf the internet? Probably once or twice every 1-2 months due to their acting committments. Yet because they have an obligation to protect the celebrities, they strongly support the move to protect their brand, privacy and reputation if you know what I am talking about.
So if this SOPA is passed, it does NOT make a difference to them. They are already earning a lot of money. They don’t care about what happens to our ricebowls if we market online full-time. All they care about is their reputation and image rights.
Realistically internet marketing is the fastest way to make your 1st 1K. Not just to clear your debts and solve bankruptancy but to live the kind of live we truly deserve.
They might seem to appear to be righteous in supporting such movement but as I said again, if they were to have their way, they will NOT be any better than what they THINK we are.
In the way they market and wanting to suck money from ordinary people like us. They made millions and have their dream lifestyle yet give us peanuts to live 3rd World lifestyle.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for sharing about this. Yes, I agree with you that there is too much control being given out.
I am glad that these get to be postponed indefinitely (hopefully not resurrected anymore). 🙂
“PIPA co-sponsor Florida Sen. Marco Rubio pulled his name from the bill Wednesday, and SOPA co-sponsor Arizona Rep. Ben Quayle pulled his name Tuesday.”
http://mashable.com/2012/01/18/pipa-sopa-abandon-bill/
Why SOPA Is Dangerous
http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/
”SOPA has been delayed, for now. The House has agreed to revisit the issue next month, but they now know the White House will veto any bill that’s not more narrowly focused.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/01/16/obama-says-so-long-sopa-killing-controversial-internet-piracy-legislation/
“The Stop Online Piracy Act, otherwise known as “SOPA,” is losing friends fast, and now it looks like there’s a good chance it’ll lose the support it needs to make it out of Congress alive, much less the White House.”
…
“But the bills’ backers are experienced political wranglers. They know how to get Congress’ attention, they know how to lobby, and they know just where to put the money to make sure laws are passed. They won’t give up on their goal to stem piracy, and it’s a reasonable goal in itself. But in order to ensure that future efforts don’t look anything like SOPA or PIPA, perhaps the Web companies that have stood up to the bills will need to start playing Washington from the inside a little harder, just like every other industry with interests to protect.”
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/74238.html